East Peoria's "Army of Housewives"

On July 28, 1914, one month after the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, beginning The Great War and more than four years of devastating global conflict. While troops fought, citizens around the world, including the women of East Peoria, mobilized to support their communities and nations. 

Fondulac District Library has digitized the registration cards of 282 local women who registered for the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense, Illinois Division, Fondulac Unit. The cards were gathered at a registration drive at First National Bank in November 1917. View the cards online and learn more about the "army of housewives."